Category Archives: timesheet

We’ve updated TimeControl Online!

The TimeControl Online Software as a Service subscription system delivers all that TimeControl has to offer but in a subscription model.

When each new feature is created in TimeControl, we consider how it will function in both the on-premises version and in TimeControl Online.  With the recent release of TimeControl version 7.2 for both on-premises installation and online subscription, this is quite clear.

TimeControl 7.2 includes two major new functions and a host of updated functions.  The two new areas of functionality are support for the TimeControl Mobile App and the TimeControl API.

The TimeControl Mobile App is a free downloadable App that is available on the Apple App Store for iOS devices, and on Google Play for Android devices.  It connects to the user’s TimeControl instance to allow the user to create, edit, or even approve timesheets from their mobile device.

The TimeControl API is a programmable interface that extends TimeControl’s already extensive flexibility and integrateability even further.

Both these features are active in TimeControl Online in the cloud right now.

The online TimeControl service provides all the functionality loved by the on-premise version. The code that is deployed for both situations is identical.

More and more clients are looking to services in the cloud to extend their corporate IT functionality.  When subscribing to TimeControl Online, clients avoid having to purchase or configure hardware, networking, databases or worry about security, monitoring or anything other than simply using the timesheet software. HMS Software’s technical team handles the rest.

HMS has recently updated its pricing policies for TimeControl Online.  For those who are using TimeControl on premise and are interested in switching to TimeControl Online, they can speak to their TimeControl representative at info@hms.ca and ask about transfer credits towards their first year’s subscription.

For more information on TimeControl Online, visit timecontrol.net.

TimeControl 6.8 includes the Accruals Module

Did you know that TimeControl 6.8 includes a powerful Accruals Module to allow Human Resources and Payroll departments to automatically calculate and store time in many different categories?  Many organizations have scenarios where the timesheet is an ideal place to calculate overtime based on the total number of hours or the amount of vacation or personal time off that has been earned each period based on a person’s seniority or managing banked overtime.  TimeControl’s new Accruals Module allows all of these types of calculations and more.
This extensive functionality is included with every TimeControl or TimeControl Online and has four different accrual rule categories:
1. Calendar Accrual Based on Static Valuesaccruals_4_300x189
In some organizations, your vacation time or personal time off is earned at a standard value.  For example, let’s say you get 3 weeks of vacation and a standard week is 40 hours long.  Each month you might earn 10 hours.  The calculation is 40 hours times 3 weeks for 120 total hours per year of vacation and divide that 120 by 12 months and we get 10 hours per month.  TimeControl can automatically do the storage of those hours into each employee’s vacation bank.
2. Calendar Accrual Based on Posted Time Values
Imagine that we need to calculate a set number of hours per employee each month based on the total number of hours accumulated during this period to their personal time off bank.  The calculation might be particularly well suited to people who are on part time or hourly pay as opposed to salaried staff.
3. Timesheet Accrual Based on Rate Codes
Some organizations may configure TimeControl to accrue time into a bank based on the value found in the rate code.  For example, it is quite common in TimeControl to identify a rate as an overtime rate with specific values for internal cost vs. external billing value.  The TimeControl Accruals module can look at these lines and determine if the overtime values should be treated as time to go into a particular employee’s bank such as banked overtime over a certain value.
4. Timesheet Accrual Based on Timesheet Hours
In some organizations, there are rules for the amount of overtime that can be accumulated based on the number of hours in a timesheet.  Let’s say, for example, we want to add to the employee’s overtime bank an amount calculated at 1.5 times the hours for any time spent over 40 total hours but below 50 total hours and 2 times the hours for any hours above 50.
A TimeControl instance may include numerous Accrual rules.   Some rules could apply to the entire staff and others might apply only to certain staff or even to certain staff under some conditions.
Find out more about TimeControl Accruals at www.timecontrol.com/timesheet/accruals.

Wow, what a year!

Thanks to our remarkable clients 2014 was a record year of growth and productivity for us.  HMS experienced growth in every category including services, TimeControl for on-premise, our subscribed TimeControlOnline service and even support services.  So, a big thank you to both our dedicated staff and, of course, our expanding clientele.  2014 was our 30th year of operation and 20th year of operation for TimeControl but we feel like we’re just getting started.
In 2014 we released TimeControl 6.7 and 6.8 including such popular and powerful features as the TimeControl Workflow engine and the new Accruals Module.  We also finally said goodbye to the last of our old ActiveX controls.  They continue to be supported as a legacy feature but new installations of TimeControl won’t even see them by default.
2015 promises to be even more exciting!  We are already putting the final touches on TimeControl 6.9 which is scheduled for release in February and design is underway for a major new wave of TimeControl which we’ll tell you more about during the summer.  We’ll be giving you a sneak peek at the new marquis feature of TimeControl 6.9 right here in the blog in the next couple of weeks!
So, 30 years of HMS history are now behind us but the best is yet to come!

HMS Releases TimeControl version 6.8

We’re delighted to tell you that we have released TimeControl version 6.8. It seems like just yesterday that we were telling you about 6.7 and all the new features there including the new Workflow module, the elimination of the last ActiveX controls and updated OnBoarding and Project Link functionality but here we are again with a major release of new functionality! In this version, we are very excited to include a new module we have talked about for some time. The Accruals Module will allow TimeControl administrators to automate functions such as banked time or calculated overtime and more. We also have added functionality to Expenses and Timesheets to allow you to insert your own documents (such as receipts) and a new Menu Editor that gives you even more flexibility over the TimeControl menus! Here are some of the more noticeable new and enhanced features you’ll be seeing in this version: Accruals moduleAccrual4
TimeControl 6.8 includes a new Accruals module which allows Administrators to create a rules-based accrual of time into different elements of TimeControl tables. For example, Vacation could now be accrued automatically on a monthly basis and the amount per employee entered into the vacation bank on the employee table or overtime could be accrued from the timesheet using a banked-overtime rate into a bank of personal time in the employee table which could be used for time off later. There are 4 different types of Accrual rules now possible:

  1. A scheduled rule that is based on static values in the employee tables
  2. A scheduled rule that is based on values in the timesheets being posted
  3. A rule executed during posting that is based on the timesheet values
  4. A scheduled rule that looks at rate-code values

While doing Accruals within TimeControl has been possible in the past, it typically required expertise at the database level and now virtually all of these types of conditions can be managed by the users themselves in the Accruals module. Accruals are easy for an Administrator to create but, like Validation Rules and Workflow, are so potentially powerful, that we haven’t begun to explore the limits of what is possible with them. manage_menu_items_add_2 TimeControl menus now editable
TimeControl has always allowed items in the menu to be secured using User Profiles. Now, TimeControl 6.8 goes so much farther. Administrators are now able to add their own menu items directly to the TimeControl menu using the Menu Editor or move existing items from one tab to another to match their own requirements. Add documents to an expense line item or a timesheet header
Expense_Dialog_ReceiptsTimeControl 6.8 allows multiple files to be uploaded and saved within each expense line item or to the entire timesheet. This will allow scanned or photographed expenses to be saved with the Expense Line or at the timesheet level. There is no limit to the number of documents that can be attached to each expense line or to the Timesheet itself. For those who have their expense approvals managed at the same time as their timesheet, this makes the TimeControl expenses functionality that much more attractive. “Adjust” on PMV is configurable in User Profiles
In TimeControl 6.7, users who have access to the Debit/Credit function will see the “Adjust” link within the Project Management Validation screen. This appeared if the user had access to Debit/Credit. The appearance of this link is now configurable in User Profiles as of TimeControl 6.8. Even if the user has access to Debit/Credit, the Adjust link in the PMV can be hidden using this User Profile option. Clickable dashboardsClickableDashboard
As of TimeControl 6.8, on dashboard elements where appropriate such as the Personal Status view, users are able to click on a link which will bring them directly to the appropriate area or element of TimeControl We’ve added an “Adjust” button to the Posted Timesheet List
TimeControl 6.8 adds the Adjust link that is currently only in the Project Manager Validation screen to the Timesheet list. If a user has access to the Debit/Credit function, they will see the Adjust button on the Timesheet list and clicking on it will automatically create a Debit/Credit record for that timesheet. This makes getting to a Debit/Credit to adjust it in TimeControl that much easier. Hide “Remember Me” and “Keep me Logged in” on login screen
TimeControl 6.8 can now be configured in the TimeControl.ini file to allow the “Remember me” and “Keep me Logged in” checkboxes on the Login screen to be hidden from users. When users logout, return them immediately to login screen
TimeControl 6.8 can now be configured in the TimeControl.ini file to allow the user to bypass the confirmation dialog and return directly to the login screen while logging out. Filter resources during Project Management import
TimeControl 6.8 allows the project manager to set a filter to not transfer certain resources from the project management system. This could allow hiding certain types of resources such as generic resources from being automatically added to the TimeControl Resource Table. Plus, we’ve made performance and minor improvements in a wide range of other modules:Find out more about TimeControl 6.8 at www.timecontrol.com/timesheet/latest or talk to us about your timesheet needs at www.timecontrol.com/contact/contact.php or info@hms.ca.

Thanks to Ascendant for a great letter!

Ascendant Ascendant is a Bermuda-based firm which supplies critical utilities to Bermuda’s residents and community.  Caroline Rance, Ascendant’s VP of Information Technology sent a great recommendation for TimeControl based on their successful implementation from over a year ago. 

Caroline’s letter can be read at: www.timecontrol.com/resources/testimonials/tst_e2pm.php

You can see other testimonials on the TimeControl testimonial page. 

Thanks for a great letter from Aedon Consulting!

aedon_consultingCarolyn Gavsie the office manager of Aedon Consulting in Canada’s west coast recently sent us a letter explaining how delighted they are to have moved from a manual timesheet system to TimeControl.  Aedon is a consulting services firm working in the utilities industry.
Carolyn’s letter can be found at: www.timecontrol.com/resources/testimonials/tst_aedon.php.
More TimeControl testimonial letters can be found on the TimeControl Testimonial page.

Have you seen the letter from Esterline?

Esterline_logo Esterline is a UK-based manufacturing company specializing in aerospace and defense products.  Anne Vokal, Esterline’s IT Project Manager sent us a lovely letter about the success of their TimeControl deployment since last year. 
You can read Anne’s letter at: www.timecontrol.com/resources/testimonials/tst_esterline.php.
More testimonial letters can be found on the TimeControl Testimonial page.

See HMS at the Scottsdale Hard Dollar Conference

2014-InEight-Experience HMS Software will be at the InEight Experience Hard Dollar Conference in Scottsdale, AZ at the end of this month.  Not only will HMS be exhibiting the very latest version of TimeControl Industrial and showing how it can link to Hard Dollar’s HD PCM but HMS Software’s President, Chris Vandersluis will be co-presenting a paper with Erik Marthinsen, the President of BASEMETHOD.  Erik’s firm is not only a TimeControl  Dealer, but also one of Hard Dollar most experienced dealers.  Erik and Chris will be describing how TimeControl Industrial and Hard Dollar’s HD PCM were deployed at a major oil producer in Canada and how combining TimeControl’s field data collection with HD PCM’s cost control has resulted in significant efficiencies in managing literally millions of sub-contractor hours.
Find out more about the Hard Dollar Conference at: http://www.harddollar.com/ineight-experience or contact HMS at info@hms.ca if you need more information.

Testimonials letters

In case you missed it, HMS received several wonderful letters from clients earlier this year.
ASL_Environmental First the CIO of ASL Environmental Sciences based in British Columbia Canada sent us a very flattering letter about TimeControl.  ASL has been around longer than HMS and specializes in Oceanographic services..  Their letter can be read at: www.timecontrol.com/resources/testimonials/tst_asl.php.

ESI_Tennessee Next, ESI Derrick Duke from the Georgia offices of ESI sent us a great letter about their TimeControl deployment. is a design and engineering construction firm specializing in steam and power systems.
You can read the letter at: 
www.timecontrol.com/resources/testimonials/tst_esi.php

scisyslogo And SCISYS; a multinational communications specialist who develop Information and Communications Technology for the defense and aerospace industries as well as other blue chip and public sector organizations.  SCISYS boasts amongst its client lists such prestigious organizations as the BBC, the European Space Agency and the UK Ministry of Defense.  SCISYS is in its third year of using TimeControl now and the kind letter from Michael Henke, the Operations Manager Space makes us thankful for the great clients we partner with.  You can read Michael’s letter at: www.timecontrol.com/resources/testimonials/tst_scisys.php.
You can read more testimonials letters and case studies on the TimeControl Testimonial page.